Why are rat known for being attracted to cheese?

Rats aren't *just* attracted to cheese, rats will eat anything and everything they could possibly get there little tiny fingers on, without being caught by us humans. They're just portrayed to only be interested in chess in the movies, but let's face it, even thought that's extremely cute, it's not all real. I mean, yes, if a director of a film what's a scene with a rat in it running towards cheese. Then that probably really would happen. But genuinely, rats will eat anything tasty. Is could be from peanut butter to some other rats. The possibilities are endless.